Olivaceous Thornbill vs Purple-throated Carib
Chalcostigma olivaceum compared with Eulampis jugularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Olivaceous Thornbill | Purple-throated Carib |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcostigma olivaceum | Eulampis jugularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.3 cm (6.4 in) | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) |
| Weight | 7.3999999999999995 g (0.26 oz) | 9.316666666666666 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Bolivian and Peruvian páramo; short bill accesses small open flowers. Gleans insects … | Nectarivore of Caribbean island forests; bill adapted to visit Heliconia and Brugmansia. Takes small arthropods … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Olivaceous Thornbill
Buzzy, high-frequency trill with insect-like quality; sustained continuous vibration with rapid amplitude modulation.
Purple-throated Carib
Thin, sibilant twittering with airy quality; light high notes cascading softly in relaxed sequence near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Olivaceous Thornbill
Widespread in high Andean puna grassland from Peru to Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. 3,200–4,800 m.
Purple-throated Carib
Found throughout the Lesser Antilles from Saba to Grenada. Prefers mature forest and flowering trees. Sea level to 800 m.
Conservation Status
Olivaceous Thornbill
Purple-throated Carib
How to Tell Them Apart
Olivaceous Thornbill
Blue-tufted Starthroat: males with iridescent blue-green gorget; metallic green above; white pectoral tufts; females green above; spots
Purple-throated Carib
Turquoise-throated Puffleg: iridescent violet crown; glittering turquoise gorget; metallic green back; white leg puffs; females duller
About These Birds
Olivaceous Thornbill
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean puna and páramo from Peru to Bolivia at 3,500-4,800 m. Olive-green plumage with subtle throat iridescence. Nectarivore of high-altitude flowering plants. One of the drabbest thornbills. Tolerates extreme cold.
Purple-throated Carib
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent. Males have iridescent purple throat and green body. Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. Larger and more aggressive than Green-throated Carib, dominating flower territories.